Illumination – Plural light sources – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-08
2004-01-20
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Plural light sources
Combined
C362S084000, C362S145000, C362S503000, C313S634000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06679617
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to a flat lighting device.
In particular, what is involved is a lighting device for lighting spaces, for example in buildings or mobile facilities such as, for example, vehicles or aircraft and ships. Various aspects are to be considered in this case such as, for example, the desired light intensity distribution in the space, the color temperature of the light, but also architectural and economic aspects. Moreover, for physiological and economic reasons daylight is also usually included in the light planning of rooms in buildings.
PRIOR ART
Daylight obtained with the aid of windows is generally used to light rooms of buildings. Given good daylight conditions, artificial light sources can be dispensed with in some circumstances by careful selection of the size and number of the windows. Artificial light sources are indispensable for interior lighting, at least given unfavorable daylight conditions and in the case of darkness. This problem has been resolved to date by providing within the room —in addition to the window or windows for utilizing the daylight—further light sources, for example electric lamps, candles, optical conductors etc. It is disadvantageous, inter alia, that the light intensity distribution inside the room changes with the change in illumination from daylight to artificial light.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the object of the present invention to circumvent the disadvantage of the prior art and provide a lighting device which is improved for this purpose.
This object is achieved with a flat lighting device having the features of claim
1
. Particularly advantageous refinements are to be found in the dependent claims.
The basic idea of the invention consists in integrating the daylight and the artificial light for interior lighting in a single flat lighting device. Put simply, the realization of this basic idea can be seen in suitably modifying a flat lamp in such a way that the latter can also be used as a window, or else, regarded in the opposite way, in suitably modifying a window in such a way that the latter also functions as a lamp.
The lighting device according to the invention is not limited in this case to the possible use of daylight in the strict sense, that is to say to the configuration in the form of an “outer window” lighting device, but rather the latter is merely to be highlighted here as a particularly interesting variant. Rather, interest also attaches to the additional use of other light sources for backlighting the lighting device, for example in the form of an “inner window” lighting device of a room divider, as a result of which it is also possible, if appropriate, to use the light of the adjoining room.
All that is essential for the purpose of the invention is for the lighting device both to have transparent regions for the light from the backlighting source, for example daylight, ambient light, through which, if appropriate, the daylight or, more generally, background light can pass and to have regions which shine owing to one or more integrated artificial light sources inside the lighting device.
For this purpose, the flat lighting device according to the invention has two extended view surfaces, which are situated opposite one another and are at least partially transparent, and at least one integrated light source, for example a flat fluorescent lamp. The, or each, electric light source is designed and arranged in such a way that the latter defines a corresponding luminous area inside at least one of the two view surfaces. A transparent part of the view surface adjoins the, or each, luminous area in each case. The term “transparent” which has been used is intended to be understood as generalizing the invention to the extent that both transparent, that is to say clear, and only translucent, for example matt or dull materials are covered for said regions. All that is essential is for at least a portion of the light of the backlighting (daylight, ambient light, or the like) to be passed through these regions.
It can, in particular, also be advantageous to construct at least one luminous area in each case inside both view surfaces. In this case, the lighting device specifically shines to both sides when operating. It is therefore possible, for example, in the case of application to an outer window, to implement interior lighting on the view surface of the lighting device facing the interior, and a luminous advertisement, an information sign or some other luminous information content on the view surface facing outward.
It is advisable to tune the ratio between the total luminous area and the entire transparent or translucent part of the respective view surface for the purpose of a compromise which is suitable in practical terms between the function as a window on the one hand, and the function as a lamp during operation, on the other hand. However, there is no need for this compromise if success is achieved in likewise designing the, or each, integrated light source of the lighting device according to the invention to be at least partially transparent. The point is that the regions of the light source which act as a luminous area during operation then likewise act in the disconnected state as transparent or translucent parts of the two view surfaces, that is to say, if appropriate, the total view surface of the flat lighting device then acts as a window. This aspect is taken up again further below.
It is advantageous in each case to select the number, dimensions and distribution of the integrated light sources, and consequently of the luminous areas, for the purpose of being able to generate in operation a spatial light distribution similar to daylight.
Strip-shaped light sources alternating with likewise strip-shaped transparent or translucent regions have proved, inter alia, to be suitable in this context. Otherwise, however, the most varied shapes are also suitable. The presentation is subject to certain limits in this regard, however, owing to esthetic viewpoints and considerations of the possibility of economic production. Suitable, inter alia, in any event are light sources with shapes which are circular or at least resemble a circle, for example oval or elliptical as well as rectangular, diamond-shaped, hexagonal or similarly shaped ones which are arranged distributed within the two surfaces and are adjoined by transparent regions. Reference is made to the exemplary embodiments for further details on this.
By way of example, a suitably shaped flat, closed electric lamp, for example a flat gas discharge lamp, is suitable for the, or each, integrated light source.
In a preferred design, the, or each, electric lamp is designed as a flat gas discharge lamp with dielectrically impeded electrodes. Specifically, this type of lamp has an at least partially transparent flat discharge vessel which is filled with an ionizable filling, for example xenon, and has a baseplate and a front plate which typically consist of an at least substantially transparent insulant, for example glass. Dielectrically impeded electrode tracks are arranged on the baseplate and/or front plate in such a way that the front plate acts as a luminous area during operation.
According to the invention, the individual flat lamps are arranged on the glass plate of a window or else between the two glass plates of a double window. In any event, during operation the front plate (luminous on one side) and optionally also the baseplate (luminous on both sides) of each flat lamp likewise correspond(s) to a luminous area. Reference may be made to the publication WO-98/43277, whose disclosure is hereby taken as reference, for further details relating to the design of such flat lamps. In the case of the double window, the regions of the glass plate of the window, or the two glass plates, adjoining the two-dimensional extent of the front plate or baseplate of each flat lamp function as transparent regions within the two view surfaces of the arrangement. This ensures that the light from backlighting, for example daylight, can pass through thes
Custodis Udo
Eberhardt Angela
Ilmer Michael
Seibold Michael
Clark Robert F.
Husar Stephen
Patent-Treuhand-Gesellschaft fuer Eleckrische Gluehlampen mbH
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